My Farmers Market Addiction

Oh... I love love love the farmers market. I usually go on Wednesday and Saturday, and the two markets each have a pleasantly unique atmosphere. In case something goes wrong, there are also farmers markets on Friday and Sunday, although those ones are smaller and are not year-round.

The Saturday market starts at 8 am, and I like to get there early, because it is a bit quieter, and also in case there are any hot commodities (like the first few tomatoes of the season). Often, like this morning, it is still cool and foggy. So I bundle off, grab my bags and go. I always run into friends and yoga students. This morning, as I was browsing the wares... I ran into 3 separate yoga students, a friend who also studies yoga with my same teacher, and our wonderful neighbors. It's such a lovely way to start the day. Everywhere you look there is such an amazing abundance of produce - I can't help but bask in the glory of all that is provided to us. The miracle of nature. I love that it is almost all organic, and all local, mostly all small farms, and that there is more to chose from than I could ever possibly shake a stick at! And then to see so many friendly faces gives me a sense of connection and community that is warming and dear. And of course, all the lovely interactions with the various farmers and vendors - whose efforts I am so grateful for. Their food & presence nourishes me in so many ways!

So, here is what I procured today. Some old favorites and a few new items. At top is a giant bag of nectaplums. Of course. Because I am helpless in their presence. Also some baby gem lettuce, shiitake mushrooms, red & yellow bell peppers, yellow & golden tomatoes, 2 ears of corn, collard greens, purple basil, 2 zucchini, 3 eggplants, a red onion, garlic, an english cucumber (so much better!!), scallions, fresh peanuts (hello boiled peanuts!!), and okra!

What fun! The fresh peanuts are a nice seasonal specialty, and the purple basil & okra are both things I've never purchased or cooked with before. I can't wait! I know that Susan V has lots of good okra recipes... so I'll look there and also check out some bhindi masala recipes. mmm.

Here's tonight's dinner, the "Mexicali Chop Salad" from the "Real Food Daily Cookbook." This salad is SO DELICIOUS. It's such an exquisitely perfect balance of flavors and textures... The Cilantro-Lime dressing with the recipe is especially lovely (just be moderated in your application!). Here are the few small changes I make:

- I don't bother with roasting the bell peppers, I like them raw and crunchy. I leave out the avocado, because Musty doesn't like it. I sometimes make the TASTY little corn chip crunchies, but tonight I didn't (they are - however - very worth the effort). I also left out the 1/4 c of canola oil in the dressing - there was enough oil already.

Look what else I made! Homemade flour tortillas!! They were delicious and easy. One thing about me, is that I hate going out at night for emergency dinner ingredients. I'm not sure why I'm so fussy about it. I thought tortillas would be nice with dinner, but didn't want to go out and buy any. So, I popped open the ever-trustworthy "Joy of Cooking," looked up flour tortillas & got to work. They were fun and easy... cool!

hope you're all doing well... hoorah for being back home in the kitchen, I am loving it!